Michael J. Ranney, 65, of Albert Lea, formerly of Granite Falls, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family on Thursday, February 18, 2010, ending his courageous fight against cancer.
He was born on November 17, 1944 to Fred and Burnette (Schlenner) Ranney in Granite Falls. He graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1962 and continued his education at St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota.
Michael was united in marriage to Susan Thomton on September 14, 1968 in Minneapolis. They are the proud parents of two children, Lisa and Scott.
Mike worked in sales for Land ‘O Lakes in Minneapolis before transferring to Albert Lea in 1970. He remained with Land ‘O Lakes until 1984. He continued his career in sales for various companies such as Farmstead, Farmland, Gold Country Marketing and French & Associates until his retirement in January of 2007.
Mike was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea and served on various committees at the church and on the Church Council. He also was a member of the Elks, the Moose Club and the American Legion.
Mike was a sports enthusiast. He loved following the Vikings, Twins and Gophers and watching the games with friends and family (despite the frustration these teams caused him over the years). He also loved to travel. Family vacations when his children were young and several trips with friends over the years were some of his favorite memories. spending time with his friends was very special to Mike. Whether playing softball in his younger years, on a hunting trip, a Gopher basketball game or simply out to dinner, he felt blessed to have such wonderful friends.
Mike’s true passion was his family. Spending time with his wife, his daughter, son-in-law, his son, his daughter-in-law, and his 5 grandchildren was his most cherished blessing. He was a very special husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Mike was loved and will be deeply missed by his family which includes his wife Susan; daughter Lisa and her husband Scott Peterson; his son Scott and his wife Lori (Beenken); grandchildren: Cooper, Gavin, and Griffin Peterson and Lyla and Noah Ranney. His mother Burnett (Schlenner) Ranney; sister Jerri (Jack) Schmitz, brother Mark (Ann) Ranney, and aunt Carol Schlenner; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Sally an Bob Blank, Janet and Ken Kittelson, Sharon and Jim Tillmann, Richard and Sheila Thomton, Mary Lou and Dick Johnson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mike is preceded in death by his father Fred, his in-laws Genna and Sherman Thomton and his grandparents.
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Michael J. Ranney, 65, of Albert Lea, formerly of Granite Falls, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family on Thursday, February 18, 2010, ending his courageous fight against cancer.
He was born on November 17, 1944 to Fred and Burnette (Schlenner) Ranney in Granite Falls. He graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1962 and continued his education at St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota.
Michael was united in marriage to Susan Thomton on September 14, 1968 in Minneapolis. They are the proud parents of two children, Lisa and Scott.
Mike worked in sales for Land ‘O Lakes in Minneapolis before transferring to Albert Lea in 1970. He remained with Land ‘O Lakes until 1984. He continued his career in sales for various companies such as Farmstead, Farmland, Gold Country Marketing and French & Associates until his retirement in January of 2007.
Mike was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea and served on various committees at the church and on the Church Council. He also was a member of the Elks, the Moose Club and the American Legion.
Mike was a sports enthusiast. He loved following the Vikings, Twins and Gophers and watching the games with friends and family (despite the frustration these teams caused him over the years). He also loved to travel. Family vacations when his children were young and several trips with friends over the years were some of his favorite memories. spending time with his friends was very special to Mike. Whether playing softball in his younger years, on a hunting trip, a Gopher basketball game or simply out to dinner, he felt blessed to have such wonderful friends.
Mike’s true passion was his family. Spending time with his wife, his daughter, son-in-law, his son, his daughter-in-law, and his 5 grandchildren was his most cherished blessing. He was a very special husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Mike was loved and will be deeply missed by his family which includes his wife Susan; daughter Lisa and her husband Scott Peterson; his son Scott and his wife Lori (Beenken); grandchildren: Cooper, Gavin, and Griffin Peterson and Lyla and Noah Ranney. His mother Burnett (Schlenner) Ranney; sister Jerri (Jack) Schmitz, brother Mark (Ann) Ranney, and aunt Carol Schlenner; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Sally an Bob Blank, Janet and Ken Kittelson, Sharon and Jim Tillmann, Richard and Sheila Thomton, Mary Lou and Dick Johnson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mike is preceded in death by his father Fred, his in-laws Genna and Sherman Thomton and his grandparents.
